Adult store robbed

Mark Rhodes, the alleged gunman, sits in the back of a Sevierville police car after being identified by a Sexy Stuf store employee.

Curt Habraken

Alleged accomplice Blaine Rice.

Curt Habraken

Sevierville officers work the scene at the store.

Sevierville Police Department

Officers stop the car along Interstate 40.

SEVIERVILLE —

Four people from Asheville, N.C., are now facing charges of aggravated armed robbery after they allegedly held up a lingerie and adult novelty store on Highway 66 Monday morning, then led police on a chase that ended on Interstate 40.

Rhodes allegedly brandished a handgun, and they demanded the money in the cash register.

After the gunmen took the money, witnesses reported seeing them get into a sliver Nissan sedan that fled toward the interstate. Sevierville Police Officer Chris Carter saw the vehicle and tried to stop it, but the driver refused to stop and got onto westbound Interstate 40.

Personnel from SPD, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office and Knox County Sheriff’s Office stopped the car near the Knox County line, and arrested all the occupants. Christy Wilson, 38, and Natasha Robinson, 26, were caught in the car with Rhodes and Rice and charged.

Rhodes was also wanted for robbery charges in North Carolina, Bush said.